Luke Walton may be the Los Angeles Lakers‘ first choice as head coach, but it appears they have a clear runner-up on the wish list.
According to Marc Stein of ESPN, the Lakers will consider San Antonio Spurs assistant coach Ettore Messina if they can't entice Walton back to Los Angeles.
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NBA coaching scuttle: Hearing Ettore Messina will get a very legit look from the Lakers if they can't lure Luke Walton out of Golden State.
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) April 27, 2016
Both coaches are in the midst of playoff runs with their current teams, with Walton serving as an assistant coach of the Golden State Warriors.
While Walton is more of a known name to the American fan base than Messina, the Spurs assistant is a well-accomplished coach himself. The 56-year-old Messina won the Euroleague championship four times as a head coach and was named Euroleague Coach of the Year on two different occasions. He also served as a Lakers consultant during the 2011-12 season.
The Lakers already know the European coaching legend's work after Messina's stint as a Lakers assistant and now he's got Spurs appeal, too
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) April 27, 2016
The Italian coach has over 25 years of experience coaching professional basketball, beginning his career with Virtus Bologna back in 1989.
While Messina may not be a “sexy” pick for head coach such as Tom Thibodeau or Scott Brooks, it would probably be a better hire than the last few decisions the Lakers front office has made on head coaches in recent years.
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